Inhalant Abuse
Inhalant abuse, also called "huffing" and "sniffing" is one of the most common forms of substance abuse. It begins at an earlier age than other types of substance abuse. 20% of 8th graders have tried huffing, but 90% of parents deny that their child could be using inhalants.
One of the reasons inhalant abuse is so common is that the products children use are ordinary household products. They are easy for children to obtain, certainly not illegal. The most common substances abused are glues, nail polish remover, marking pens, paint thinner, spray paint, butane lighter fluid, gasoline, propane, correction fluid, cleaners, cooling sprays, deodorants, fabric protectors, whipping cream aerosols, and air conditioner coolants.
Symptoms of inhalant abuse may include any of the following:
1. unusual breath odor or chemical odor on clothingSome tell tale behaviors of abuse are holding pens or markers near the nose, smelling sleeves of clothing, paint stains on face, mouth or clothing, and hiding rags or empty containers of abused substances in closets or obscure places. The effects of inhalant abuse range from temporary neurological effects to permanent damage to body organs including death.
2. slurred or disoriented speech
3. drunk or dazed appearance
4. signs of paint around the face or fingers
5. red eyes or nose
6. spots or sores around the mouth
7. nausea or loss of appetite
8. chronic abuse may cause anxiety, excitability or restlessness
Temporary effects are memory loss, nausea, not being able to see normally and loss of use of arms and legs. Inhalants can permanently damage the brain, liver, kidney and heart. The most serious side effect is "Sudden Sniffing Death" which can occur during or immediately after an episode of sniffing, even the first episode. I saw a 14 year old boy brought to our emergency when I was a resident who was dead on arrival from "huffing" Pam cooking spray in a plastic bag. He died from cardiac arrest.
As a parent, talk to your children about the dangers of inhalant abuse. Encourage them not to even experiment…one time can result in death. If you suspect your child is abusing inhalants, get help from your pediatrician, school counselor, or local mental health agency. If we all work together we can reduce this all too common form of substance abuse.